The 18-year-old defender received a surprise call-up into Steve McClaren's England squad yesterday for next week's friendly with Holland.

It completes a startling elevation for the Blues academy product, who was playing only his 29th senior game for City in today's 0-0 home draw with Newcastle.

Pearce needs no reminding that City's last England international, Shaun Wright-Phillips, was sold to Chelsea for é21million less than 18 months ago.

However, the Blues manager insists Richards, who signed a four-year contract extension in the summer, will not be following Wright-Phillips through the Eastlands exit door.

"I don't think we will struggle to hang on to Micah," said Pearce. "He is not for sale.

"When Shaun Wright-Phillips left us the club was flat to the boards financially. That is not the case anymore and we want to hang on to him.

Negotiations

"When you look back to the negotiations over his new contract, never once did he turn round and say that (leaving) was an option for them."

Given the dismal time Wright-Phillips has had trying to establish himself at Stamford Bridge, Pearce admitted he might use the winger's example to show Richards the grass is not necessarily greener on the other side of the fence.

However, the City chief is convinced Richards has no desire to go anywhere else.

"The beauty of Micah is that he wants to stay at Manchester City, be a Manchester City player and learn his profession," said Pearce, who at the same stage of his own career was still combining part-time football with his day job as an electrician.

"Micah has a bright future in the game. He has only played 20-odd Premiership matches. He has a long way to go yet but he will get better.

"I am not surprised he has been selected in the England squad.

"The bottom line is if they can get into their club sides and do very well, the England manager will look at them and fast track them if necessary."